Almeria: Alcazaba Guided Tour
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Discover the Alcazaba of Almeria, one of Spain's largest Arab citadels, and learn more about its history and architecture on a guided tour.
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From 16,50€ per person
There is a Spanish province where sea and desert coexist, where arid rocky terrain alternates with fertile plantations. The capital of this province with such a singular landscape is Almeria, one of Andalusia ‘s most underrated cities – unjustly – by travellers.
The big three of Andalusia (Seville, Cordoba and Granada) steal the scene from it because they are much more famous: an ironic fate for a city that has been an important reference point for Hollywood productions in Europe. The nearby Tabernas Desert lends itself perfectly to recreating the typical landscape of western films, and so a number of highly successful films have been shot around Almeria, including Sergio Leone’s greatest masterpieces and the early films of Bud Spencer and Terence Hill.
Being one of the least rainy places in Europe has not only brought Clint Eastwood and other film stars on business trips to Almeria, but also many sun-seeking tourists all year round. Consider it for your next beach holiday in Spain: the danger of rain here is really minimal, there is a coastline hundreds of kilometres long with some of the most beautiful and lesser-known beaches in Spain and you are only a 2-hour drive from Malaga and Granada and 3 hours from Alicante.
If the attractions in the surrounding area are so exciting, the city centre is no less interesting. Less crowded than the most famous Andalusian cities, Almeria boasts one of the largest Arab fortresses in Andalusia, charming neighbourhoods, inexpensive tapas bars and a vibrant nightlife. And from here, if you wish, you can even travel to Morocco.
The centre of Almeria is small and can easily be visited on foot in a short time. However, it would be a shame to leave without having visited the magnificent attractions that can be reached within a day from the city centre.
Here is a list of things to see in Almeria that includes both the must-see attractions in the centre and those in the surroundings.
The top attraction in Almeria is the Alcazaba, a fortified citadel built by the Arabs in the second half of the 10th century. It is one of the largest Arab fortresses in Andalusia, second only to the world-famous Alhambra in Granada, and is a magnificent vantage point from which to admire a splendid view of the city and the sea.
Although it originally had a defensive function, the Alcazaba of Almeria has incorporated different constructions and buildings over time. Today, inside we can admire beautiful palaces, gardens (including the beautiful Jardines del Agua), towers, bastions, cisterns, thermal baths and even a Catholic church. Some buildings are original, some partially restored and others completely rebuilt.
The entire complex stands on a hill overlooking the city centre and can be reached by a short walk through the old Barrio La Almedina, a quaint neighbourhood of colourful houses.
Another architectural marvel of Almeria is the Cathedral, an imposing church-fortress built between 1524 and 1562 that served as both a place of worship and a shelter against pirate attacks.
This dual function explains its simultaneously austere and elegant appearance: the layout is very reminiscent of a military construction, complete with battlements along the perimeter walls, but the Cathedral is adorned with a splendid Renaissance-style façade; the interior is Gothic. The Renaissance cloister was originally a parade ground.
One of the most characteristic areas of Almeria is Barrio La Chanca, which stretches along the sides of the hill on which the Alcazaba stands.
For a long time it was an abandoned and degraded neighbourhood, inhabited by very poor people, which nevertheless managed to fascinate artists, photographers and filmmakers and became famous. Today, the social decay has been overcome, but La Chanca remains a world apart in the socio-cultural reality of Almeria and its tuff houses have become a tourist attraction.
Past and future in one building: the Museum of Almeria is an archaeological museum housed in a building of futurist architecture. Spread over three floors, it exhibits a collection of Neolithic and Bronze Age artefacts and a collection of Islamic art.
The Museo Refugio de la Guerra Civil in Almeria is a very interesting local history museum dedicated to one of the most dramatic periods in Spanish history, namely the civil war fought between 1936 and 1939.
A visit to the museum allows you to enter the underground shelters excavated during the war years to protect the local population from aerial bombardment; you can also see a hospital with an operating theatre set up in the underground tunnels.
The network of underground tunnels was more than 4 km long in total; of these, only one can be visited.
The Castle of San Cristobal is another defensive construction that stands on the hill opposite the Alcazaba. Unfortunately, it is not well preserved, but admission is free so if you have time you can take a look at it, perhaps to enjoy a different panoramic view than the Alcazaba.
Almeria is an excellent base for a holiday filled with all kinds of activities and experiences. In the city, the most popular is the guided tour of the Alcazaba; in the area around Almeria, recommended activities are 4×4 excursions to the Tabernas desert or the Cabo de Gata-Nijar national park and day trips to western parks and film sets.
Not to be missed is a day trip to Granada and if you have more time also to Malaga or Seville; if you come here for a beach holiday, don’t miss a boat or kayak trip.
An unusual and very entertaining experience is a visit to the Giant Geode in the Pulpí Mine.
The Tabernas Desert is the only semi-arid desert in Europe. With its lunar landscape of canyons, rock formations and sandy expanses, it became famous as a location for numerous western films in the 1960s and 1970s, so much so that it was nicknamed the ‘little Hollywood‘.
The film studios are still active and can be visited through guided tours that allow visitors to explore the original sets and watch stunt performances. The extreme climate, with temperatures exceeding 40°C in summer and minimal rainfall, has created a unique ecosystem where rare species of flora and fauna survive.
The must-see family-friendly attraction around Almeria is the Oasys – Mini Hollywood theme park, just over half an hour’s drive from the city centre. It will drive your children crazy … but if you don’t have children, you will be the one to become a child again and have the time of your life!
This is an amusement park located in the Tabernas desert that was created around the film sets of the American westerns that were shot here in the 1960s and 1970s, the golden age of this successful genre. You can see the original sets of cult films, not only westerns, including The Good, the Bad, the Ugly, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, Lawrence of Arabia and Cleopatra, as well as some original carriages used for filming.
The sets remain the main attraction of the park, but with a single ticket you can also enjoy live shows, visit a film museum, see more than 200 animal species in a zoological reserve and more than 250 species of cacti in a very special botanical garden. You can also have fun in the aquatic area with pools, slides and other water games.
After the desert of Tabernas, the other unmissable scenic attraction around Almeria is the Natural Park of Cabo de Gata-Nijar, a protected area around a beautiful promontory about 50 km from the city centre.
The landscape that awaits you is truly singular, arid but never monotonous, with rocks and promontories that take on the most diverse colours and shapes; in spite of the scarcity of water, there is a great variety of animal and plant species.
It is up to you to experience Cabo de Gata-Nijar as you see fit: within the park, you can enjoy lazy beach life on beautiful beaches or take fascinating routes on foot or by bicycle.
The city beach of Almeria is Playa del Zapillo10, a long stretch of golden sand behind which is a popular promenade. It is located close to the centre, in an area that was once a fishing village. Today, the area is highly urbanised and little remains of the seaside village charm, however Playa del Zapillo is a good option for those who want to combine cultural visits with relaxing afternoons by the sea.
If you are looking for fascinating beaches, get out of the city and explore the coast of Almeria. The variety of beaches you can encounter is incredible and includes both sandy and rocky or pebble beaches.
However, do not expect to find fashionable beaches or beaches that are easily accessible by public transport. For those who want fun and opportunities to meet or comfort, the most popular beach resort in the province of Almeria is Mojacar. If you want even more nightlife, you might want to move on to the more popular beach resorts in the neighbouring province of Malaga.
The most beautiful beaches around Almeria fall within the territory of the Cabo de Gata-Nijar natural park. These are wild coves and beaches with no facilities and often reached by long walks along steep paths, not infrequently frequented by naturists. Not recommended for those looking for comfort and entertainment, they are a true paradise for those who enjoy quiet beach holidays, completely immersed in nature.
The beaches not to be missed in Cabo de Gata-Nijar are Playa de los Muertos11, Playa de los Genoveses, Playa Monsul, Cala Grande, Cala Chica and Cala Los Amarillos.
In the following map you can see the location of the main places of interest mentioned in this article.
Although still little known to international travellers, Almeria offers a good choice of holiday accommodation. Almeria’s hotels and B&Bs are concentrated in two distinct areas: the historic centre and the seafront. The centre is the best choice for travellers who have to be careful with their budget, as mid-range accommodation prevails in this area and the choice of budget options is very good.
Bear in mind, however, that average accommodation prices in Almeria are lower than in more touristy Andalusian resorts. It is therefore also worth having a look at the hotels and flats along the coast. Maybe you can get a nice room with a sea view for a little more money.
The city of Almeria has an airport located less than 10 km from the centre. Unfortunately, there are currently not many international connections, but it mainly operates seasonal tourist flights to European destinations and regular connections to Madrid and Barcelona. To reach Almeria it is therefore often necessary to take a flight to Malaga and from there travel by hire car or public transport; alternatively, a stopover at another European airport is required.
Those already in Spain can get to Almeria from several directions quite easily. In fact, Almeria is served by important road connections with the most important cities in Andalusia and the rest of Spain, so you will have no difficulty travelling by car.
The train and bus stations are located close to the historic centre. Long-distance buses connect Almeria with Valencia, Murcia, Madrid and Barcelona without any changes, while regional buses and trains provide easy access to Malaga, Granada, Seville and other local destinations.
There is also the possibility of arriving in Almeria by boat from Morocco. This is certainly not a very useful ferry line for most travellers, but we highlight it as a possibility for those who want to make an unusual and fascinating slow journey.
What's the weather at Almeria? Below are the temperatures and the weather forecast at Almeria for the next few days.
Almeria is the easternmost province of Andalusia, the region that occupies almost the entirety of southern Spain. The capital city is centrally located along the coast. It is approximately 160 km from Granada and 200 km from Malaga; Alicante is 300 km away.
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